2nd Test - England v New Zealand (May 29 - June 2)

[budgetmeansbudget]

TMS saying only 2127 spectators at the ground today.

Wow, what a shame that some more dads can't take the day off and take their kids for free. Mind you it looks bloody cold there.

They'd end up with a fine for taking their kids out of school.

[The Waugh Twins]

That wasted review could cost NZ.

[Aidan11]

England can still win this.

[The Waugh Twins]

TMS saying only 2127 spectators at the ground today.

Wow, what a shame that some more dads can't take the day off and take their kids for free. Mind you it looks bloody cold there.

They'd end up with a fine for taking their kids out of school.

Seriously, you have to be joking right?

[Aidan11]

Another 50 for Cook.

[Gingerfinch]

50 up. A lone fighting effort.

[yuppie]

50 up. A lone fighting effort.

6th time over 50 in the last 4 matches.

Certainly leading by example. Will need another 50 if England are to have any chance of saving this.

[Alviro Patterson]

A lot more spectators at the ground compared to Day 5 of the 2nd Sri Lanka test, Western Terrace was completely shut off. Still made for a pleasant atmosphere though, people who made the trip really wanted to be at the cricket and it vibrated across the ground.

I imagine a few pupils will rock up between now and stumps, maybe a few workers if it's free after tea.

[westoelad]

Stokes contribution in this game. 1/130... 35 runs.
The new Flintoff... just in 2009 when he lost his eye and could barely walk anymore

Yes we'll replace him with Jordan who averaged 13 with the bat and 42 with the ball in the West Indies.

1. I said when he was picked for the international team it was a season too early, and that he had a lot to prove still.
2. I have argued with people at the same time about his inability to bat..... calling him an allrounder is an insult to the term, he has no FC 100, and can only bat by slogging.
3. I would have dropped him long before he won the Sri Lanka ODI match on his own, and didn't take much of that performance into account.
4. I bemoaned the fact that Rashid wasn't playing over him in the West Indies.

Jordan should be far off the radar unless his county form can be maintained long enough to prove something. Not sure why you are bringing him up, I hardly ever have let county preference cloud my judgement over England selection.

Jordan was named in the 12 for the 1st test so I assume he hasn't been discarded by England. Stokes is a developing England cricketer,particularly his bowling and far from the finished product but has delivered with both bat and ball. There Seems little point in ridiculing him when there's no alternative.

I don't want an alternative, I want a proper spinner in the team and for Ali to bat at 6!

We ain't got a proper spinner that's why we've got to go with 4 seamers. Yet to see any evidence that Ali has overcome his difficulties with the short ball.

[sussexpob]

Well played Cook... very good achievement that

[andy]

9000 test runs for Cook, and he's only 30

[Gingerfinch]

9000 up

[andy]

2:25 and Matt Henry introduced into the attack

[Aidan11]

Two records here - Cook is the youngest batsman to reach 9000 runs, and this is the highest scoring two test series in history.

[andy]

been a cracking series, really enjoyed it